Film on Lincoln’s Assassination Draws in Stars

Former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service website.

Several media outlets have formulated a conspiracy theory. They’ve reported an influx of talented actors on the set of director Robert Redford’s upcoming film, “The Conspirator.”

“The Conspirator” will reel audiences in on the assassination of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. Robin Wright Penn (“White Oleander”) plays Mary Surratt, the woman charged with the crime. Playing her defense attorney is the magnetic James McAvoy (“Atonement”).

They are joined by Evan Rachel Wood (“Thirteen”) as Penn’s daughter as well as Alexis Bledel (“Gilmore Girls”) and Justin Long (“Accepted”) as McAvoy’s wife and friend, respectively.

Newcomer Toby Kebbell slips into the role of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin while Tom Wilkinson (“In the Bedroom”) and Kevin Kline (“The Emperor’s Club”) round out the cast.

I can’t say that any Redford-directed films stand out but very few historical events intrigue me, but assassinations of prominent figures certainly count. Also, the impressive casting is a welcome bonus.